Over-The-Counter Medications You Can Take While Pregnant

Colds, coughs or congestion are never fun, but they're even worse when you're pregnant. Here's what medicine you can safely take to feel better faster.

Aches, pains and uncomfortable symptoms are unfortunately part and parcel of pregnancy. But before you reach for that over-the-counter medicine, learn which medications are safe to take during pregnancy, and which are not.

Many over-the-counter medications are safe to use in pregnancy, but there are a few surprising drugs that can lead to problems for baby. In general, always speak with your doctor prior to taking any medication (prescription, over-the-counter or herbal/homeopathic) and always follow the dosage instructions on the package.

Keep in mind that certain vague symptoms you wouldn’t think twice about in normal times (a headache, for example) can sometimes be a sign of a more serious pregnancy-related complication. And before taking any over-the-counter medication, think about what other medications you are taking. Even medications that are considered safe in pregnancy can become dangerous when they interact with others. If you're not sure, always check in with your ob-gyn.

Here are some common pregnancy problems, along with a quick summary of related medicines that are probably safe—and ones that probably aren't.

Aches and pains
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay to take for treating general aches, pains and headaches. But you want to steer clear of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). These OTC drugs may be associated with congenital heart defects when taken during the first trimester. They've also been linked to other heart abnormalities and low amniotic fluid levels when used in the third trimester.

Congestion and allergy symptoms
For congestion issues, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and loratidine (Claritin) appear to be safe during pregnancy. Avoid pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), since it may be associated with birth defects involving baby's abdominal wall. Also, decongestants (such as phenylephrine) may affect blood flow to the placenta and should generally be avoided throughout your pregnancy.

Cough
Two major cough medication ingredients—dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and guaifenesin (an expectorant, which means it loosens up thick mucus)—both appear to be safe during pregnancy, although both have been tested in relatively few studies.

Constipation
To help ease constipation, both Metamucil and stool softeners like Colace appear to be safe in pregnancy. Laxatives, mineral oils and rectal suppositories may stimulate labor, so these should only be used after speaking with your doctor.

Heartburn
Antacids such as Tums and Mylanta appear to be safe in pregnancy, and for most women, they significantly improve heartburn symptoms. If antacids aren't enough though, famotidine (Pepcid) and andranitidine (Zantac) do not appear to be associated with any pregnancy complications.

All this said, there are situations where the potential benefit of taking a medication outweighs any potential risk to baby. The most important piece of advice regarding medication is to talk with your doctor! Be honest about your questions, concerns and medical history and you should be just fine.